Politicians and economists have been speaking of the “Third Way” for about a hundred years now. Only recently has the term Third Way been used in an ecclesiastical context, with some churches now claiming to be “Third Way” congregations. In a secular context, Third Way refers to a “middle ground” between two perceived extremes. Political liberalism and conservatism, for example, are sometimes cited as both being too “extreme,” necessitating a Third Way between the two. Followers of Third Way thinking often call themselves “Moderates” and attempt to draw from the values of both sides of the issues. In a church context, Third Way commonly refers to those seeking a “middle ground” on the issue of homosexuality or gay marriage.
Third Way churches reject the polarization of society. They seek to “engage the culture” without being judgmental of others and without redefining their own core beliefs. They don’t wish to withdraw from society, and they don’t want to abandon their convictions. Offered the choice of either fighting or surrendering, they choose neither. The Third Way is touted as the way of acceptance, love, equality, and interaction. Theological positions take a secondary place to “love.”
Concerning the issue of homosexuality, Third Way proponents try to promote peace, saying that the issue of sexual orientation should not divide Christians. On one hand, they reject the church’s traditional stance that homosexuality is sinful; on the other hand, they may stop short of performing gay weddings. The “middle ground” the Third Way seeks is the teaching that homosexuals can indeed be true Christians, in need of affirmation and support, and that it is time to stop fighting against homosexuals and start including them in the church. Amazingly, Third Way proponents do not see their position as a “compromise” in the least.
The problem is, on some issues, there really is no “Third Way.” As much as some people love to dwell in the gray areas, there does exist a black and a white in the matter of homosexual behavior. The Bible is abundantly clear that homosexual practice is evil, and it is just as clear that marriage is a lifetime commitment between one man and one woman. Will the church of the living God continue to be “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), or will the church abandon its mission in a morass of compromise and concession?
The church is God’s ekklesia, His “called-out assembly.” We are to reflect the holiness of God into a sin-darkened world, not reflect society’s gloominess back upon itself. The biblical principle of “come out from them and be separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17) is still valid; the church is called to choose sides on moral issues, not to find a “third way.”
Dr. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, points out the impossibility of finding middle ground on the issue of gay marriage. He writes, “There is no third way on this issue. . . . The issue is binary. A church will recognize same-sex relationships, or it will not. A congregation will teach a biblical position on the sinfulness of same-sex acts, or it will affirm same-sex behaviors as morally acceptable. Ministers will perform same-sex ceremonies, or they will not” (“There Is No ‘Third Way’—Southern Baptists Face a Moment of Decision (and so will you),” AlbertMohler.com, June 2, 2014).
Churches that have opted to identify as “Third Way” congregations are finding that even their middle-of-the-road stance is divisive. In choosing to affirm homosexual behavior, they by necessity turn their backs on the traditionalists within their congregations. In ignoring biblical teaching, Third Way churches are, in fact, choosing a side, and congregations are being split as a result.
There is a broad road, Jesus said, and a narrow road (Matthew 7:13–14). There is the right way and the wrong way, but no Third Way. The idea that a church can choose to not take an official position on homosexuality is wishful thinking. Culture is drawing a line in the sand, and the church must be equipped with the full armor of God and be willing to “stand firm” (Ephesians 6:14).
Churches that Stand on LGBQTI+ Principals of Gay Pride is a Clear out Doctrine of Demons PLUS!
Imagine we started Churches for Proud Deceiver’s or Churches for Proud Fornicators or Churches for Proud Thieves or Even Churches for Proud Drunkards. Let Sin WILLFULLY IN this CHURCH? (The 4th Way Church).
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). There is a tendency to declare homosexuality as the worst of all sins. While it is undeniable, biblically speaking, that homosexuality is immoral and unnatural (Romans 1:26-27), in no sense does the Bible describe homosexuality as an unforgivable sin – (It only become unforgivable when Pride joins Up) Nor does the Bible teach that homosexuality is a sin Christians will never struggle against.
Perhaps that is the key phrase in the question of whether it is possible to be a gay Christian: “struggle against.” It is possible for a Christian to struggle with homosexual temptations. Many homosexuals who become Christians have ongoing struggles with homosexual feelings and desires. Some strongly heterosexual men and women have experienced a “spark” of homosexual interest at some point in their lives. Whether or not these desires and temptations exist does not determine whether a person is a Christian. The Bible is clear that no Christian is sinless (1 John 1:8,10). While the specific sin / temptation varies from one Christian to another, all Christians have struggles with sin, and all Christians sometimes fail in those struggles (1 Corinthians 10:13).
NOTE : That there are a clear difference between Christians and Children of God (Rom 8).
What differentiates a Christian’s life from a non-Christian’s life is the struggle against sin. The Christian life is a progressive journey of overcoming the “acts of the flesh until the Baptism of the Holy Spirit” (Galatians 5:19-21) and allowing God’s Spirit to produce the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). Yes, Christians sin, sometimes horribly. Sadly, sometimes Christians are indistinguishable from non-Christians. However, a true Christian will always repent, will always eventually return to God, and will always resume the struggle against sin. But the Bible gives no support for the idea that a person who perpetually and unrepentantly engages in sin can indeed be a Christian. Notice 1 Corinthians 6:11, “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
First Corinthians 6:9-10 lists sins that, if indulged in continuously, identify a person as not being redeemed—not being a Christian. Often, homosexuality is singled out from this list. If a person struggles with homosexual temptations, that person is presumed to be unsaved. If a person actually engages in homosexual acts, that person is definitely thought to be unsaved. However, the same assumptions are not made, at least not with the same emphasis, regarding other sins in the list: fornication (pre-marital sex), idolatry, adultery, thievery, covetousness, alcoholism, slander, and deceit. It is inconsistent, for example, to declare those guilty of pre-marital sex as “disobedient Christians,” while declaring homosexuals definitively non-Christians.
Hebrews 10 States that if we Know that Sin is Sin and we keep on doing it , It’s spiteful and Willing Sin and for that there are NO FORGIVENESS , Sinning Willfully!
Is it possible to be a gay Christian? If the phrase “gay Christian” refers to a person who struggles against homosexual desires and temptations – yes, a “gay Christian” is possible. However, the description “gay Christian” is not accurate for such a person, since he/she does not desire to be gay, and is struggling against the temptations. Such a person is not a “gay Christian,” but rather is simply a struggling Christian, just as there are Christians who struggle with fornication, lying, and stealing. If the phrase “gay Christian” refers to a person who actively, perpetually, and unrepentant lives a homosexual lifestyle and has no intentions getting rid of the Sin of Homosexuality – no, it is not possible for such a person to truly be a Christian and most certainly not a Child of God.
In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, the sin of homosexuality is listed right next to theft. Just as there is no genetic excuse for stealing, there is no genetic excuse for homosexuality. Environment, culture, and choice make one a thief, and the same factors make one a homosexual.
The PROBLEM comes when PRIDE joins the SIN!!
There is a difference between the kind of pride that God hates (Proverbs 8:13) and the kind of pride we can feel about a job well done (Galatians 6:4) or the kind of pride we express over the accomplishment of loved ones (2 Corinthians 7:4). The kind of pride that stems from self-righteousness or conceit is sin, however, and God hates it because it is a hindrance to seeking Him.
Psalm 10:4 explains that the proud are so consumed with themselves that their thoughts are far from God: “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” This kind of haughty pride is the opposite of the spirit of humility that God seeks: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). The “poor in spirit” are those who recognize their utter spiritual bankruptcy and their inability to come to God aside from His divine grace. The proud, on the other hand, are so blinded by their pride that they think they have no need of God or, worse, that God should accept them as they are because they deserve His acceptance.
Throughout Scripture we are told about the consequences of pride. Proverbs 16:18-19 tells us that “pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” Satan was cast out of heaven because of pride (Isaiah 14:12-15). He had the selfish audacity to attempt to replace God Himself as the rightful ruler of the universe. But Satan will be cast down to hell in the final judgment of God. For those who rise up in defiance against God, there is nothing ahead but disaster (Isaiah 14:22).
Pride has kept many people from accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. Admitting sin and acknowledging that in our own strength we can do nothing to inherit eternal life is a constant stumbling block for prideful people. We are not to boast about ourselves; if we want to boast, then we are to proclaim the glories of God. What we say about ourselves means nothing in God’s work. It is what God says about us that makes the difference (2 Corinthians 10:18).
Why is pride so sinful? Pride is giving ourselves the credit for something that God has accomplished. Pride is taking the glory that belongs to God alone and keeping it for ourselves. Pride is essentially self-worship. Anything we accomplish in this world would not have been possible were it not for God enabling and sustaining us. “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). That is why we give God the glory—He alone deserves it.
And very dangerous when Pride joins up with any Sin. Like Gay Pride.